Notebook: Linebacking corps anchored by depth

When Spencer Paysinger came to Oregon in 2006, the only thing deep about the linebacking corps might have been the trouble they’d have been in if multiple injuries occurred.

“We had Brent Haberly, A.J. Tuitele, Blair Phillips, but we didn’t have that much depth,” Paysinger said. “When one guy went down, we’d have to refine packages to hide that insecurity.”

Now that Paysinger is a senior, it’s an entirely different story. Not only are Paysinger and his close friend, Casey Matthews, back to start at the Ducks’ two inside linebacker spots, but there are at least three quality backups behind them.

Paysinger and Matthews are drawing preseason consideration as potential all-Pac-10 players. In reserve are Michael Clay, a force as a true freshman in 2009, plus senior Bryson Littlejohn and junior Dewitt Stuckey.

“I think between the five of them, we’ve got a pretty good group,” position coach Don Pellum said.

The Ducks defended on average about 75 plays per game in 2009. Given all the work Paysinger and Matthews do on special teams, Pellum would like to see them take 50 to 60 defensive snaps if possible. That would leave 40 or so plays for the backups to get, along with their own contributions on special teams.